overlook 1 of 2

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as in to dominate
to look down on the fortress overlooks the city

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in to possess
to cast a spell on the superstitious grandmother actually believed that the baby had been overlooked by a gypsy woman

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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overlook

2 of 2

noun

as in lookout
a high place or structure from which a wide view is possible just down the road there's a great overlook where you can get a panoramic view of the valley below

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word overlook distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of overlook are disregard, forget, ignore, neglect, and slight. While all these words mean "to pass over without giving due attention," overlook suggests disregarding or ignoring through haste or lack of care.

in my rush I overlooked a key example

When would disregard be a good substitute for overlook?

While in some cases nearly identical to overlook, disregard suggests voluntary inattention.

disregarded the wishes of his family

When is it sensible to use forget instead of overlook?

While the synonyms forget and overlook are close in meaning, forget may suggest either a willful ignoring or a failure to impress something on one's mind.

forget what others say

Where would ignore be a reasonable alternative to overlook?

The words ignore and overlook can be used in similar contexts, but ignore implies a failure to regard something obvious.

ignored the snide remark

When is neglect a more appropriate choice than overlook?

The words neglect and overlook are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, neglect implies giving insufficient attention to something that merits one's attention.

habitually neglected his studies

When can slight be used instead of overlook?

In some situations, the words slight and overlook are roughly equivalent. However, slight implies contemptuous or disdainful disregarding or omitting.

slighted several major authors in her survey

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of overlook
Verb
In Gurnee, three sizable apartment buildings off Milwaukee Avenue, overlooking Interstate 94, have been under construction for more than a year. Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025 The second floor has the primary suite, which is large and has a private balcony that overlooks the grounds. James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2025
Noun
Photo : Michael Bowman/Klemm Real Estate Sitting atop a hill, the 18-acre property overlooks Lake Waramaug. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 7 Apr. 2025 While in the park, visitors should stick to marked overlooks and trails, stay within railings and safety barriers, wear shoes with good traction for hiking, and bring a headlamp or flashlight at night, officials said. Sara Schilling, Sacbee.com, 16 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for overlook
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overlook
Verb
  • The right hemisphere of the brain dominates in spatial attention, while the right amygdala is dominant for processing threats.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 30 June 2025
  • The early adopter was Montgomery Ward, but Sears and Roebuck—the Amazon and Walmart of their day—would soon dominate the business.
    Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Too many times last year the line would just ignore somebody running right at them.
    Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 11 July 2025
  • The conversation has put a spotlight on a dynamic that’s hard to ignore: how global leaders, especially from Western nations, talk about and to Africa.
    Oumou Fofana, Essence, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • All of it is medically supervised and adjusted throughout the stay.
    Nel-Olivia Waga, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • Each student had a spiritual director, and Prevost chose Sister Lyn Osiek, who also supervised his theological-reflection class.
    Belinda Luscombe, Time, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • The Italian side possess a serious number of defenders who are simply not good enough to represent a club with ambitions of winning Serie A while competing in the UEFA Champions League.
    Adam Digby, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
  • One of the great mysteries of my family life is what possessed two teenage sisters at the turn of the 20th century to leave home in Rzeszow, Poland, and head for a new life in America.
    Bob Kustra, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025
Verb
  • And don’t forget to examine your nails and the bottoms of your feet, Reid says.
    Stacey Colino, Time, 9 July 2025
  • There are two approaches to this: comprehend the historical odds and position yourself ahead of the earnings release, or examine the correlation between immediate and medium-term returns post-earnings and position yourself accordingly after the earnings are announced.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • This second mortgage is forgiven in increments of 20% per year over a five-year term.
    JP Shaffer Updated July 3, Miami Herald, 3 July 2025
  • And the nation could be forgiven for wanting to take a collective shower.
    Marco della Cava, USA Today, 3 July 2025
Verb
  • Shakur’s Instagram account, managed by his estate, reposted the message.
    Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 5 July 2025
  • His podcast with son and managing partner and pollster Jeremy Zogby can be heard here.
    Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 5 July 2025
Noun
  • To aid in detection efforts, staffed fire lookouts remain on high alert, continuously scanning the landscape for smoke.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2025
  • That said, James Cameron's epic reaches the pinnacle of disaster-movie impudence with the distasteful suggestion that the most celebrated tragedy of the 20th century occurred because a few lookouts were distracted by Kate and Leo sucking face.
    EW Staff Published, EW.com, 3 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Overlook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlook. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

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